'King of Dirt' Wobbles

The 'King of Dirt' is just one new attraction that will add to the Warminster Wobble this year as it gears up for its weekend event at the end of this month.

This 'festival of cycling' in the town park is set to be the bigger and better than ever before.

“Last year’s event was a great success," said event co-ordinator Colin French. "This year there is already a lot of interest and we have increased the amount on offer at the festival."

Wiltshire’s biggest cycling festival is entirely free and this year the programme is evenwider reflecting the festival’s growing popularity.

"This year celebrity pro-rider Chris Smith will be wowing visitors," adds Colin. "Chris has been featured on eleven mountain-biking magazine covers.

"He has held first place in the Pro King of Dirt at NASS and first place for King of Dirt at the Bike Show."

The wheels start rolling on Saturday 29th of June at 11am in the Lakeside Pleasure Grounds.

There is the usual mix of trade stands, children’s entertainment and unusual bikes.

There is also a mountain bike time trial trophy to be won (several categories) and the chance to win a £200 Batchelors (Warminster Market Place cycle shop) voucher.

The return of the internationally renowned Borisov Brothers Kazak Stunt Team will also feature strongly during the first day.

New this year is the chance to go tree-climbing with a difference as one of the Park’s largest trees is being turned into a climbing wall.

On Sunday there is a series of rides from 11am from the town park. There are road rides of various lengths, guided mountain bike rides, a child and buggy ride for parents with buggies, and tag-a-longs.

"Everyone seems to be talking about it," says Colin. " The MTB time trial was very popular last year.

"People came down from London to take part in it. And the wonderful thing is this whole event is free thanks to support we get from the Town Council, local charities, and businesses.”

The Warminster Wobble now rivals the annual carnival for putting the town on the map to outsiders.

"We at visionforwarminster.co.uk have always been keen supporters of the work of Colin and his volunteers and we have watched it grow amazingly," says co-author Paul Macdonald after looking back at the last four years (see 2010 video below).

"It is so well organised and has something for every member of the family."